Monday, August 30, 2010

THE "FRIDA" BRACELET, OR...

IT TOOK ON A LIFE OF IT'S OWN, PART DEUX...

After a small surgical procedure last week (small, but with stitches that left my daughter telling me I looked like Jeff Goldblum in The Fly, darling that she is), I found my "Brundlefly" self locked out of sight in my house, taking it easy in the evenings, and finishing up my very first attempt at a bead embroidered cuff bracelet. Same (only) daughter told me it had a "Frida-esque" feel to it, once done.

Sitting on the back of a tiny little Colima dog, of Mexican folk art/lore, this one is FILLED...once again, it kept growing and growing 'til it was what it is - extravagantly full and heavy! A 1940's celluloid face button was my starting point, surrounded by precious Bakelite, cut-steel, rhinestones, and various antique buttons. New beads, freshwater pearls, turquoise and coral were thrown in for good measure.

Above the head, to the left, is the tiniest (a mere 3/8" across) little gold and "pearl" encrusted pin - the number 27...my birth date and the number I always use for luck (recently, it has popped up more and more in my life - the day I finished this was actually Friday, the 27th - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM, ON THE 28th). Wish I knew the story behind this little treasure - it came to me in a "lot" of buttons - someones class pin from 1927, perhaps?

It was my daughter that suggested the red beads for the edging, as well as the Ultrasuede lining...she said if I had come that far, it needed to be finished boldly, so bold it is! I do imagine that Frida might just have sported this herself.

Oh My!! That is lovely!! I can't wait to finish my mermaid cuff!! I can only hope it is 1/4th as gorgeous as this cuff is! That would be spectacular! Can't wait to see you wearing it, another great job!

Tanya your cuff is so whimsical. I wish my mind would work creatively as yours. And I also love the way you display your subjects, no matter what they may be, and then give a little the history or the creative idea behind it.